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Temple Mount, Jerusalem

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Temple Mount: Al Aqsa Mosque
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  • mafi_moya
  • By mafi_moya on November 11, 2004
  • Jerusalem Page by mafi_moya
  • Al Aqsa Mosque - Jerusalem
    Al Aqsa Mosque
    by mafi_moya
    Possibly the most infamous mosque in the world, it gave its name to the second Palestinian Intifada which began in 2000 after Israeli politician (now President) Ariel Sharon made a highly controversial visit.

    Whereas the Dome of the Rock is largely decorative and symbolic these days, Al Aqsa is a fully functioning mosque, holding prayers every day for up to 5000 visitors at once. It is also much plainer and of less interest to tourists.

    Like so much in Jerusalem and Israel, when it comes to history there is some blurring between mythology and reality and the mosque's exact origins are unclear. Many believe it was built on the site of a 6th century Byzantine church; others believe it is an 8th century construct by the Umayyads. Also like much of the region, it was hit several times by earthquakes and what exists today bears little resemblance to the original structure.

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    Temple Mount: Dome of the Rock
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  • jadedmuse
  • Updated By jadedmuse on July 21, 2008
  • Jerusalem Page by jadedmuse
  • Temple Mount - Jerusalem
    by jadedmuse
    The outside of the Dome of the Rock is a beautiful blue mosaic inscribed with verses from the Koran. The gilded top is not really made of gold, but it's shiny all the same. The inside of the mosque houses the rock of Abraham - or, the rock upon which Muslims believe Muhammed ascended into Heaven. I was kind of disappointed to see that it is fenced in - but surprised to note how large the rock seems to be. I guess I'd always imagined more of a kind of stepping stone!

    This is not really an active mosque, but there is an area that I stumbled upon in my curiosity back in 1999, when non-Muslims were still permitted to enter the mosque - a door that leads to an area under this rock - a little room. Inside this room, I found two Muslim men prostrating in prayer. I stood in the back and kept a respectful silence until a guard came in and told me I wasn't supposed to be there (due to gender).

    Update:
    My last trip here was December 2004, and apparently since then, non-Muslim visitors ARE now allowed inside the Dome of the Rock. That being the case, do not miss this opportunity.

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  • Directions: Old City Jerusalem
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    Temple Mount: What to do on Saturday in Jerusalem
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  • unaS
  • Updated By unaS on March 21, 2008
  • Jerusalem Page by unaS
  • Western wall - Jerusalem
    Western wall
    by unaS, 4 more photos
    The rules for visiting the Temple Mount *currently* (March, 2008) are morning hours only, Sunday - Thursday.
    This can change without notice. Check at your hotel and with the policeman posted at the entry.

    Shabbat hours: Most Jewish sites are closed from sundown on Friday to Sundown on Saturday. Does not include Sunday.

    The Israel Museum is open on Shabbat. Getting there would be a problem because there is no public transportation during Shabbat in Jerusalem.

    You would have to take a taxi - Shabbat rates are 2 (not 1), like late night rates.

    The Old City is probably your best choice for touring on Saturday.

  • Directions: Old City Jerusalem
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    Temple Mount: Haram ash Sharif / Temple Mount
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  • mafi_moya
  • By mafi_moya on November 11, 2004
  • Jerusalem Page by mafi_moya
  • Muslim girls reading the Qu'ran - Jerusalem
    Muslim girls reading the
    Qu'ran
    by mafi_moya
    To the Jews it is the Temple Mount, the holiest of holies where the Torah forbids Jews to tread in case they inadvertently step on the long-hidden tombs and destroyed temples of the ancient Jewish kings. To Muslims it is Haram ash-Sharif, where Prophet Mohammed ascended to heaven. For both religions, it's also purported to be the site where Abraham was instructed by God to sacrifice his son Isaac.

    Whatever, it's one of the holiest and most hotly disputed pieces of land anywhere on earth. It's also Jerusalem's most famous tourist attraction and the huge golden dome of the Haram ash-Sharif mosque can be found on about a million different postcards.

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    Temple Mount: Dome of the Rock - 2
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  • jadedmuse
  • Updated By jadedmuse on July 21, 2008
  • Jerusalem Page by jadedmuse
  • Temple Mount - Jerusalem
    by jadedmuse
    As with any holy place of worship (but especially Muslim sites), visitors are required to have their arms and legs covered. Also, shoes come off at the entrace of the mosques, to be collected on the way out after prayer.

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  • Directions: Old City Jerusalem
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    Temple Mount: The Dome of the Rock
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  • mafi_moya
  • By mafi_moya on November 11, 2004
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  • Haram ash-Sharif - Jerusalem
    Haram ash-Sharif
    by mafi_moya
    Underneath the enormous golden dome that can be seen from miles around the city, is the sacred rock where Abraham nearly sacrificed his son on God's command, and later where Prophet Mohammed was taken up to heaven.

    It is one of the oldest Islamic monuments in the world, built between AD 688 and 691during the Umayyad empire, and the original building was twice the size it is today. It is now considered the third holiest site in Islam, after Mecca and Medina. While the golden dome is the most immediately eye-catching feature, the colourfully tiled decoration and intricate Qu'ranic writing around the outside walls makes it one of the most attractive mosques anywhere.

    The massive rock is encased inside but access to the mosque is very limited since the start of the second Intifada and it is largely a ceremonial symbol.

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    Temple Mount: Temple Mount / Haram ash-Sharif
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  • jadedmuse
  • Updated By jadedmuse on March 23, 2008
  • Jerusalem Page by jadedmuse
  • Temple Mount - Jerusalem
    by jadedmuse
    Since the Palestinian Al-Aqsa Intifada back in September of 2000, this area is now guarded by a wary Israeli security. Whereas non-Muslims were permitted to visit the complex and for a fee, also enter the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa mosques within, this latest intifada changed all of that.

    Access is now limited to entering the complex and walking around the outside of both mosques (note: Muslims are still permitted to enter the mosques).

    I was fortunate enough to have visited here in 1999 and again in 2000, before the intifada took place. I saw both the inside of the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa mosque.

    Update:
    My last trip here was December 2004, and apparently since then, non-Muslim visitors ARE now allowed inside the Dome of the Rock. That being the case, do not miss this opportunity.

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  • Directions: Old City Jerusalem
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    Temple Mount: Al Aqsa Mosque
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  • jadedmuse
  • Updated By jadedmuse on July 21, 2008
  • Jerusalem Page by jadedmuse
  • Temple Mount - Jerusalem
    by jadedmuse
    The Aqsa is an active mosque complete with the gender sections. As with any mosque, the middle area is for prayer, with the perimeter areas reserved for study, sharing lessons, prayer materials, etc. When you hear the call to prayer coming over the loudspeaker, it is to this mosque that the Arab residents are flocking. Back in 1999 when non-Muslim visitors were still permitted to enter, I looked for the mihrab which is that prayer niche pointing in the direction of Mecca. All mosques have one, otherwise, I never can figure out how Muslims know in what direction to point if they don't have this kind of thing around to help them.

    Update:
    My last trip here was December 2004, and apparently since then, non-Muslim visitors ARE now allowed inside both the Al Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock. That being the case, do not miss this opportunity.

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  • Directions: Old City Jerusalem
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    Temple Mount: Temple Mount
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  • ophiro
  • Updated By ophiro on June 21, 2006
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  • The western wall and the dome of the rock above - Jerusalem
    The western wall and the dome
    of the rock above
    by ophiro
    The temple mount (in hebrew it is Har Ha'ba'it) is the most holy place for the Jews and one of the most holy places for the arabs.

    The first temple and also the second temple of the jews were here and now you can see the muslim's Dome of the rock and El-Aqsa mosque.

    The dome of the rock is a building with a huge golden dome that was built in 690.

    Very close to this place you will find the western wall (Ha'kotel Ha'ma'ra'vi in hebrew).

    The temple mount is a place of political conflict between jews and arabs and i hope it will end someday.

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  • Directions: Old City Jerusalem
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    Temple Mount: The Lie Detector Dome
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  • mafi_moya
  • By mafi_moya on November 11, 2004
  • Jerusalem Page by mafi_moya
  • The Dome of the Chain - Jerusalem
    The Dome of the Chain
    by mafi_moya
    In front of the huge Dome of the Rock is a smaller, plainer copycat dome with an open arched interior. This is the Dome of the Chain and it was apparently a prototype for the larger version and was also used as a treasury.

    The name "Dome of the Chain" is supposed to come from an old legend whereby Solomon invented an early version of the lie detector. He hung a chain from the dome and anyone who lied while holding it would be struck by lightning.

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